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Bob Bergdahl makes a statement about the release of his son Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl as his wife, Jani Bergdahl and President Barack Obama listen May 31, 2014 in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, DC.
(Getty Images)

It’s been five years since Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl was captured by the Taliban, but now he’s finally coming home. Over the weekend, the U.S. government made a trade: five Taliban prisoners from Guantanamo Bay for Bergdahl’s return.

While Bergdahl’s family and friends in Hailey, Idaho are overjoyed to hear of his long-awaited journey home, the announcement of the 28-year-old’s return is a divisive subject across the country. To explain why there’s so much controversy surrounding Bergdahl’s release, here are five things to know about the ordeal:

1. A Hero or a Deserter?In June 2009, Bergdahl (then private first class, he was promoted to sergeant in 2011) was drawn away from from camp. Since being captured, some of his fellow soldiers have called him a deserter.

“I was pissed off then, and I am even more so now with everything going on,” former Sgt. Matt Vierkant, a member of Bergdahl’s platoon when he went missing in 2009, told CNN. “Bowe Bergdahl deserted during a time of war, and his fellow Americans lost their lives searching for him.”

In a 2012 Rolling Stone article, e-mails from Bergdahl to his parents revealed that he was “ashamed to even be an American.” Regardless of how he felt about the American cause, at least six soldiers died while searching for Bergdahl in Afghanistan after he disappeared.

On Saturday, after spending five years as a POW, Bergdahl was rescued by a U.S. Special Operations team after tense negotiations.

2. The Bergdahl Family Never Lost HopeOn the homefront, Bergdahl’s parents, Jani and Bob never once stopped fighting to bring their son home. At a press conference in their local Idaho, Bob told reporters, “five years is a seemingly endless long time, but you’ve made it. … You are free. Freedom is yours. I will see you soon, my beloved son.”

In the five years since he disappeared, Bergdahl’s father has grown a beard and learned Afghan languages Pashto and Dari that his son reportedly became fluent in while held prisoner.

On Saturday, the day of Bergdahl’s release, his parents joined President Barack Obama in the Rose Garden. “I just want to say thank you everyone who has supported Bowe,” Jani said. “He’s had a wonderful team everywhere. We will continue to stay strong for Bowe while he recovers.”

While at the White House, Bob turned to cameras and spoke to his son saying, “I’m your father, Bowe,” in one of the Afghan languages incase Bergdahl really is struggling to understand English.

There is now word yet on the exact date Bergdahl will return to his family, until then the people of Hailey, Idaho are busy planning a welcome home party for the end of June.

3. Negotiating With TerroristsIn order to ensure Bergdahl’s safe return, the U.S. government negotiated to release five prisoners from Guantanamo Bay. While the U.S. has an ardent policy against such negotiations, they struck an agreement in exchange for Bergdahl. National Security Advisor Susan Riceassured reporters that swift action was taken in the negotiations because the administration, failing to notify Congress 30 days before releasing the detainees because they feared in that period of time the offer would no longer be available and Bergdahl’s health appeared to be declining.

Many, including former POW Senator John McCain (R-Arizona), are demanding more information. McCain labeled the returned prisoners “hardened terrorists who have the blood of Americans and countless Afghans on their hands” and wants to know what assurances are being made that they won’t go back to a life of terrorism now that they’ve been released.

According to Rice, the Qatari government ” enabled us to have confidence that these prisoners will be carefully watched, that their ability to move will be constrained.”

4. The Long Road HomeSgt. Bergdahl may be in the custody of Americans, but he is not yet home. According to U.S. Defense officials, Bergdahl is currently recovering and undergoing medical tests at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. As of Monday morning, Bergdahl was listed as in stable condition, but still required more time before being sent home.

Defense officials have revealed that, due to the trauma he endured as a POW, he is having difficulty understanding English and lost a considerable amount of weight. “His process of repatriation has begun, and reintegration into society,” White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said. “I’m sure it will not be an easy one, but we’re overjoyed on behalf of his parents and his friends and family that he’s returning home.”

5. What Happens NextBefore completing his journey back to Idaho, Bergdahl will make a final stop in San Antonio, Texas at the Brooke Army Medical Center. It is not yet clear whether his parents will be able to see him in Texas. As fans of the Showtime series Homeland know, POWs must go through a debriefing process before reentry to society.

“Psychologically, there will be a long debrief,” said New York Times journalist and former POW in Afghanistan and Pakistan, David Rhode. “They’re actually going to want intelligence (about) who held him.”

AMG/Parade Digital

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